Patent GB-1181535-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Hydraulic Transmission Systems.
IPC: F16H47/06
Filed: 1967-06-02
Abstract: 1,181,535. Clutch combinations. SOC. ANON. FRANCAISE DU FERODO. 2 June, 1967 [3 June, 1966; 4 April, 1967], No. 25658/67. Heading F2C. In a torque transmission device, particularly for automobiles, wherein a fluid coupling or, as shown, an hydrodynamic torque converter 13 is followed in series by a separating friction clutch comprising driving presser and support plates 28, 26 disposed in respective piston/cylinder relationship and arranged to grip or release a driven disc 32, and wherein the coupling or converter impeller is fast with a bell casing 16 filled with oil and divided into two oil chambers 40, 41 and 37, 38 respectively outside and inside the plates 28, 26, pressure oil being selectively directed by a distributer 49 to one or other of said chambers for clutch engagement and disengagement, a duct 44 for direction of oil to the chamber 40, 41 is bored coaxially in the driven shaft 11 which has its opposite ends splined respectively in a following change-speed and/or reversing gear-box input shaft (12) and in the hub 35 of the clutch driven disc 32 and is urged by a spring (19) at the gear-box end into sealing contact with a collar 110 bearing against a transverse wall of the bell casing, the collar having bore and transverse slot passages 116, 117 communicating the duct 44 with the chamber 40, 41, and having a cylindrical skirt 115 inserted between the hub 35 and a bearing ring 111 integral or fast with the presser plate 28 and housing a toroidol seal 113 engaging the skirt. The collar 110 is preferably prevented from rotating with respect to the presser plate 28 frictionally, or, as shown, positively (whilst permitting sliding) by a resilient member 122 which has a base (123) engaging one of transverse grooves 117 in the collar and having an opening opposite the collar bore 116 and has lateral arms (125) engaging radial notches 114 of the ring 111. A retaining ring 126 in the collar retains the member 122 at the bottom of the groove 117, and a circlip 128 on the ring 111 prevents the arms (125) from spreading under centrifugal force. The support plate 26 is riveted to a part 20 fast with the torque converter turbine 19. The presser plate 28 is acted on by a Belleville washer 29 and is rendered fast in rotation with the support plate by studs 30. The bell casing 16 is connected to the driving shaft 10 by a diaphragm 17, a stud centring 164 being welded to the bell casing. The usual starter ring 163 is fast on the skirt 162 of a ring 161 riveted on the diaphragm 17. The driven shaft 11 is separated from a fixed sleeve 22 by a bush 155, e.g. of steel, which co-operates with sealing segments 156 and may be integral with the fixed sleeve. The distributer 49 directs oil from impeller driven pump 53 to the chambers 40, 41 and 37, 38 respectively through ducts 50, 44 and 51, 48. The chamber portions 37, 38 are disposed radially outwardly and inwardly of the friction linings 33 of the disc 32, communication between the portions 37, 38 being via at least one passage 39. The chamber portions 41, 40 are respectively outside and inside the torque converter. The distributer is such that with a gear engaged oil is directed through the duct 44, a space 45 on either side of a plate 145, the chamber portion 41, a space 46, the chamber portion 40 (torque converter working circuit) a space 47, restricted one-way valves 43, the chamber portion 38, and the duct 48. The valves 43 ensure a higher pressure in the chamber portion 41 than in the chamber 37, 38 so that the friction clutch is engaged. On gear-shift or when the shift lever is in neutral, oil is directed through the duct 48 to the chambers 38, 37, the valves 43 closing, and since the chamber 40, 41 is connected to the pump intake via the path 45, 44, the pressure in the chamber 37, 38 disengages the friction clutch. The pump body 53 may have a deflector 153 protecting a seal 150A from impurities which may arise particularly when the torque converter or fluid coupling is air cooled. In Fig. 5 (not shown), to prevent unwanted friction, during declutching, caused by gripping of the clutch driven hub 35 (226) due to impeller/turbine axial separation by oil in the converter, the collar 110 (235) is provided with a flange (240) against which the bearing ring 111 (239) acts after taking up an axial play which is less than the declutching movement of the clutch driving plates but is greater than said movement less as-assembled impeller/turbine axial displacement. The collar (235) may be of PTFE and may be frictionally driven by the seal 113 being made a tight fit on the collar. Where the plate 28 (220) is sufficiently wide, the seal may be carried thereby. Lubrication between the collar (235) and the hub (226) is effected by way of collar or hub longitudinal grooves; and pressure balancing is effected by hub or collar radial channels at one end of the hub.